Emerald Hill area

Saunders Road. (Nope, no KFC here!) The road was named in 1927 after Charles James Saunders who held several official appointments, among which, District Judge and Resgistrar of Companies.

Hullet Road, built in 1914, named after R W Hullet, principal of Raffles Institution from 1871 and later, Director of Public Instruction.

Terraced houses along Emerald Hill Road. The road was originally owned by William Cuppage, a postal clerk rising to the rank of Postmaster General in the 1840s. He had a residence in the area, naming it Emerald Hill, which might have accounted for the road being named Emerald Hill Road.

So where's Emily? Lucky are the ones staying in these lovely shophouses at Emerald Hill Road. These were built between 1901 and 1925.

Cuppage Terrace -- of spas, pubs and eateries. 

Dublin Road

Backlane of shophouses at Killiney Road,. Picture taken from Dublin Road. 

Dublin Road was probably named by Dr Thomas Oxley who owned a lot of land in the area.  The road was part of his estate, including the roads in the area, named after English places such as Devonshire, Exeter, and of course the Oxley "series" such as Oxley Road, Oxley Rise, Oxley Walk. Dr Oxley was a senior surgeon of the Straits Settlements in 1844, and also a Resident Councillor. A botanist as well, he lived in a vast nutmeg plantation in the area. Information from Singapore Street Names, by Victor Savage and Brenda Yeoh.

River Valley Road

Wonder what's in the attics. Pictures: April 2014.

At the junction of Kim Yam Road and River Valley Road. 

Niven Road

Beautifully restored shophouses at Niven Road. But nothing like the time-tampered wooden windows (left) to bring out the old charming quaintness. The road was named after Lawrence Niven, Superintendent of the Botanic Gardens from 1859 to 1875. He was a nutmeg planter!  Picture: 22 April 2014 (a really scorching hot day, but great for taking outdoor pictures with my Nokia handphone).

This shophouse is actually at Mackenzie Road, next to Rex Cinema. I was captivated by its old spiral staircase -- and those nice balustrades at the landing. Niven Road leads to Mackenzie Road which leads to Selegie Road. Mackenzie Road was named after Rev H I  MacKenzie. According to Singapore Street Names by Victor Savage and Brenda Yeoh, there was a fire station there which was later taken over by the Singapore Traction Company head office/garage --  now a car park.

Everton -- up on the roof

I guess I like the song "Up on the Roof" (1962). Here's an up-on-the-roof view of  Everton Park's shophouses.  Everton Park seems to be on its way to becoming a hip and happening place, with its many cafes. As for me, I am happiest just tucking in prawn mee or chicken rice in a coffee shop. I don't need chi chi places. That's just my preference of course. But throw in some marble-topped tables please.

I think those shophouses on the left would be on the Blair Road side.  Pictures taken in Feb 2014, from a penthouse in Spottiswoode Park (entry permit, courtesy of a friend).

Yan Kit Road

The old against the new. Yan Kit Road is named after a dentist, Look Yan Kit. Picture: April 2014.

Charming corner house at Yan Kit Road, guarded by a pair of stone lions.

Yan Kit Road leads to Craig Road, another area with nice old shophouoses. 

Armenian Street

There used to be an interesting shortcut to Armenian Street from the old National Library, which led out to where The Substation is today. Pics: 5 April 2014.

Remember, it's $1 per half hour here :)

There used to be char kway teow stall somewhere near this corner, if I remember rightly. If you did not want to eat the wanton mee at National Library (I am talking about the old days of course), the char kway teow would be a "luxurious" alternative. Remember the reticent guy who fried the noodles (each lifting of the ladle accompanied by a rhythmic bounce of his body) at his huge wok? Patrons always joked about how much of his sweat actually went into seasoning the kway teow. These patrons remain faithful nevertheless.